UK Proposes Midnight Social Media Curfew for Teens

The UK government announced plans on Tuesday to introduce a default overnight social media curfew for children aged 16 and 17, blocking access between midnight and 6am, while also requiring platforms to disable addictive features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay videos.

The proposals go further for younger children, with under-16s set to be blocked entirely from accessing social media platforms.

The measures follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement last month of an under-16 social media ban, as governments worldwide grapple with the impact of social media on youth mental health.

The European Union is also considering similar restrictions, with a 156-page report presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recommending restricting children's access to social media platforms.